Runners from around the country and even the odd (very odd) Australian made the trip to Christchurch for one of this years largest poker events. The devastating Earthquake in February earlier this year delayed New Zealand’s longest running poker event for just under 5 months, but once play got under way, it was business as usual for many of the country’s top poker players.

Notable players to gather chips over the 12.5 hour day one included Wellington’s Jimal Dia (119,100), regular Auckland-based deep runners Steve Smith (166,300), Kevin Clark (176,600) & Martin Cardno (Chip Lead @ 199,400); as well as 2010 Women’s Champ Vicky Beatson (99,500). But the big story of the day is back to back defending champ Soren Ericson, who, after waiting for what must have seemed an eternity, returns to the field today still in the hunt at just under chip average ($74,500).

Play will resume at 1pm today (Sunday), with around 12 minutes remaining on the 1000/2000 blind level (level 12). With around $100,000 in prize money on the table, those remaining shall be battling it out for the title and a 1st place prize of $35,000.  Below is a summary of the chip counts:

Three Aucklanders lead the 2011 National Poker Champs, but defending back-to-back champ Soren Ericson is still well in the hunt.

-Press release_

Poker Update from SKYCITY Auckland – 21 January 2011

SKYCITY Auckland will be removing our remaining poker tables on 7 February, with the final day of play being Saturday 5 February.  Poker has been a great asset to SKYCITY Auckland but due to our extensive building enhancements across the property, including in the gaming areas, we are no longer able to offer it to our customers at this time.

We have been privileged to have played a part in the international poker circuit and extremely pleased and impressed with the calibre of domestic and international players we have attracted and seen develop.  SKYCITY plans to revisit poker once the construction has been completed as we believe it is a great part of our entertainment offering and brings a fun and exciting feeling to our diverse range of games.

As we have previously announced, this means that we are no longer able to hold the Auckland Anniversary Poker Tournament or the Festival of Poker which we have previously held in October.

The SKYCITY Casino in Queenstown is still offering poker and will remain an active part of the tournament poker circuit.

SKYCITY Auckland has a loyal following of poker players and we will be contacting them in due course to advise them of the changes and invite them to continue enjoying the entertainment experience at SKYCITY which includes other gaming offers as well as our hotels, restaurants and bars.

Since selling The Pony Club I’ve had a renewed vigor for poker. It feels like an unassailable appetite to play. The fact is, that if I had no job and was single it’s all I’d do. But luckily neither is the case. So I’ve had to make a call. Of course the statement on this site that I’m an “aspiring pro” is not true. God knows I’d love to be a professional poker player, at least for a while, but if it was something I really wanted to do I’d quit Target, and convince Amber we should be following the circuit. I guess my point is this. If it IS something you’d like to do then do it. Don’t waffle around hoping one big win will make you a poker star. Being the best in the world at something (This should be your goal, not just to be pro) requires immense sacrifice. I know that sounds like a give ion, but too many people think there some kind of slow progression to success. That’s not true. You may win a small event, then focus more, then make enough money to quit your job, then focus more, then finally make the one off trip overseas to compete then focus more. But it will take years. It’s my belief that no what it is you’re interested in pole-vault or poker find out where the best in the world are then submerge your self in that culture. It’s one of the key downsides to living in New Zealand (Unless you want to be a rugby player as we have the best coaching etc here) We are so isolated that it often seems to much to just up and move 12,000 ks to where the action is at BUT guess what, starving here, starving in Las Vegas, it’s all the same.

Simon Watt is a case in point. After winning the APPT last year he went overseas and drenched himself in poker. Now he’s New Zealand’s first WSOP bracelet winner and he has a cash in the World Series Main Event. Had he stayed here he’d never know just how far poker could take him.

So, there you go… Book your ticket.

BHS

CELEBRITY – noun, a famous or well known person.

CELEBRITY POKER TOURNAMENT – noun, a chance to see who out of selected NZ celebrities has an ounce of game at the Poker table.

The SKYCITY Celebrity Invitational gets underway on Tuesday night at 6.15. A stellar field of around 150 entrants from all walks of life will take to the tables for the most part to enjoy the occasion but don’t be fooled by the smiling and handshaking, there is more at stake here than purely bragging rights. That’s the great thing about our game, almost everyone fancies themselves as a contender and you can be sure the tension levels will be high come the business end of this event.

Here is the just a sample of the ‘talent’ this tournament has attracted and what could be better than to watch your favourite celebs making calls they should never make and taking down pots the experts tell them they have no rights to be in. Just imagine the fun with some of these potential head to head battles.

Ian Smith & Mark Richardson, Mark Sainsbury & Paul Holmes, Hamish McKay & Neil Waka, Richard Loe & Allan Whetton, Siobhan Marshall & Fleur Saville, Vicky Lee & Aja Rock, Savage & Mareko, Kathryn Powely & Kylie Bailey

So as the SKYCITY Festival of Poker rolls on, get a crew together come up to Level 3, grab a drink then sit back and watch the best live drama there is – POKER !